College Commencement

Greg Forbes Siegman served as Commencement Speaker for Kendall College. According to organizers, they had 170 graduates and 1300 people in all at the event.  The event took place exactly ten years to the day Greg's own college graduation was scheduled to take place.

Kendall is perhaps best known for its Culinary Arts program.  Its other programs include Business & Entrepreneurship and Education.

For more on Greg's connections to the F&B / Hotel / Restaurant industry, click Here

For more on his connections to Entrepreneurship, click Here

For more on his connections to Education, click Here

A number of school officials and a couple of selected students, including Marcus (left) spoke at the event.

Since Greg did not attend his own graduation, he thought this would be a meaningful time to deliver the speech he had always dreamed of giving at his own Commencement.

(To feel like he really was at his own graduation, he wore the tassle to the right, no alma mater colors around his neck and referred to the students as his 'fellow graduates').

"...I want to personally thank Greg for [the Commencement Speech] because it touched me very closely...[Can you send me] a copy of the [text of the] speech?..." - God Bless, Elom, Graduate

[NOTE:  There actually is no text of the speech available. Greg delivered the speech without any notes or prepared remarks]

"It was the best Commencement Speech I've ever heard.  It was only later that I found out that he did the speech off-the-cuff [without any prepared remarks]. The event overall was great." - Kara, Teacher

"I am 78 years old. I have attended a lot of Commencements. That speech was the most meaningful and interesting one I've ever heard." - Barry Marder, Grandfather of a graduate

"I was very proud to see my grandchild get a degree today. It made me feel good to hear a Commencement Speech that paid tribute to grandparents like me." - Ms. Henry, Grandmother of a graduate

"I was so impressed with the speech to the graduating class. I felt Greg was speaking directly to my granddaughter. Have not stopped talking about his remarks -- so on target for those students..." - Ms. Finger, Missouri, Grandparent of a graduate

Photo by Vincent D. Johnson

During the event, Greg received an Honorary Degree in Hospitality Management (Service).  As has become his tradition, rather than receive the degree after giving the speech, he was allowed to line up and cross the stage with the graduates.  And, as has become the tradition, to avoid messing up the alphabetical order, Greg was added to the back of line - giving him the distinction of graduating 'last in the class'. 

"Greg's Commencement Speech was perhaps one of the best speeches I have heard regardless of venue and I can only hope that it made as big of an impression on the students as it did on the faculty...I hope they take Greg's Grandma's lessons to heart. To hear him say that the view from the pulpit was worth it was an honor. I congratulate him on his walk across the stage..." - Andy R - Faculty member

"...What an awesome speech, not only for the grads, but for those of us who are still learning!...I hope Greg's words continue to stay in my son's mind like they will mine!...I am a kindergarten teacher...[and plan] to reference his ideas and thoughts to a group of colleagues. Of course, I especially liked the things he said about teachers!!...I was engrossed in his words..." - Bev S, parent in attendance

"I have never seen an audience respond the way they did when Greg crossed the stage and received his honorary degree today - giving him a spontaneous ovation as he made his way back down the middle aisle of the auditorium.  It seemed like something out of a movie." -  No name given

Photo by Vincent D. Johnson

Following the speech, Greg took part in a book signing for The First Thirty and the companion workbook, A Place To Sit.  the college used the book earlier in the year, in conjunction with MLK Day.

A number of students interned for Greg at the event, including ones from DePaul University's Jumpstart program, Lane Tech High School and Niles North High School. A teacher from Evanston High School also helped Greg out at the event.

Locally, the book is available at Borders in Deerfield, Highland Park, Evanston, Lincoln Park (Clark & Diversey), Chicago (Gold Coast), Matteson.  Online, they are available by clicking HERE.

To inquire about bulk orders, email Books@ideaListEnterprises.com

To inquire about booking Greg for an event at your school, organization, company or conference, click HERE.